As temperatures fall and coronavirus cases spike across Europe, some countries are introducing increasingly targeted curbs against the unvaccinated. Steps include lockdowns, booster shots for older people and proof of negative test results to enter public places.
Austria to impose lockdown for all, vaccinations mandated next year
Austria will become the first country in western Europe to reimpose a full Covid-19 lockdown this autumn to tackle a new wave of infections, and order its whole population to get vaccinated as of Feb 1, its government said on Friday (Nov 19).
The lockdown, which will include both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, will last 10 days initially, and 20 days at most, conservative chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news conference.
Germany puts restrictions on the unvaccinated to stem Covid-19 surge
Germany is applying pressure on citizens to get Covid-19 shots, announcing plans to restrict many leisure activities for the unvaccinated in almost the entire country.
Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a catalogue of measures on Thursday (Nov 18) that will allow access to restaurants, bars and public events in areas with high hospitalisation rates only for people who are vaccinated or have recovered.
Greece imposes further Covid-19 restrictions on unvaccinated
Greece joined several other European countries on Thursday (Nov 18) in imposing more restrictions on those unvaccinated against Covid-19 following a surge in infections in recent weeks.
From next Monday, unvaccinated people will be barred from indoor spaces including restaurants, cinemas, museums and gyms, even if they test negative for Covid-19, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Czech Republic imposes new Covid-19 measures as infections soar
The Czech government on Thursday (Nov 18) announced that it would introduce new measures to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations after a fresh record in daily infections.
Starting Monday, only the vaccinated and those who have had Covid-19 in the last six months will be allowed access to bars, restaurants and hotels as well as other services. A negative Covid-19 test result will no longer suffice.
Denmark brings Covid-19 curbs back after just two months
Denmark will reintroduce a health pass because of a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday (Nov 8), less than two months after scrapping controls.
The Epidemic Commission has recommended the government classify the coronavirus as a "socially threatening disease" and reimpose the pass, Ms Frederiksen told journalists.
